# List of AFL and AFC champions

The American Football Conference (AFC) is one of two conferences within the National Football League, the National Football Conference (NFC) being the other.
The AFC has its roots in the American Football League (AFL), which began to play in 1960. In 1970, the AFL merged with the NFL. As part of the merger, the former AFL teams, plus three former NFL teams (Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers), were placed in the AFC. The remaining former NFL teams were placed in the NFC. As of the 2024 season only the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans have not won an AFC or AFL championship.

## Background

The AFC champion is not necessarily the team with the best record in the regular season. Rather, the champion is decided by the AFC Championship Game (formerly the AFL Championship Game) as part of the post-season playoffs involving the teams with the best regular season records. The Houston Oilers won the first two AFL championships, in 1960 and 1961. The only other team to win two consecutive AFL championships prior to the merger was the Buffalo Bills, who won in 1964 and 1965 with future United States Congressman, HUD Secretary and Vice-Presidential nominee Jack Kemp at quarterback. After the merger, the first team to win three consecutive AFC championships was the Miami Dolphins in 1971 through 1973. The only team to win four consecutive AFC championships was the Buffalo Bills in 1990 through 1993. The New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs are the only other AFC teams to win three consecutive championships, from 2016 through 2018, and 2022 through 2024 respectively.
Through the 2024 season, the most AFL or AFC championships won by any team is eleven, by the Patriots, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, who have each won eight AFL or AFC championships. The Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders have been the AFL or AFC runner up, as a result of losing the AFL or AFC Championship Game, a record nine times. The Steelers have been the runner up eight times, while the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers have been the runner up seven times.
The record for the most regular-season wins by an AFL or AFC champion is 16, by the 2007 New England Patriots, with a perfect 16–0 record, followed by the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs, who won 15 games in a 17-game season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins also had a perfect season, winning 14 games in a 14-game season, with a 14–0 record.
Bill Belichick has been the head coach for nine AFC championship teams. Don Shula and Andy Reid have each been the head coach of five AFC championship teams. Chuck Noll and Marv Levy each coached four AFC champions.
Tom Brady has been the starting quarterback for nine AFC championship teams, more than any other quarterback. In addition, he was the starting quarterback for one NFC championship team, the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for a total of 10 conference championships. John Elway and Patrick Mahomes were the starting quarterback for five AFC champions. Terry Bradshaw, Jim Kelly and Peyton Manning were each the starting quarterback for four AFC champions. Manning started in five championships for two different franchises, the Indianapolis Colts and the Broncos.
Franco Harris and Thurman Thomas were each the leader in rushing yards for an AFC champion four times. Larry Csonka was the leader in rushing yards for an AFC champion three times. Travis Kelce was the leader in receiving yards for an AFC champion five times. Andre Reed was the leader in receiving yards for an AFC champion four times and Paul Warfield and Julian Edelman have been the leader in receiving yards for an AFC champion three times.
The 1973 Miami Dolphins had seven first-team All-Pros, more than any other AFC champion since the AFL–NFL merger. The 1971 Miami Dolphins, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2007 New England Patriots each had five 1st team All-Pros. The 1970 Baltimore Colts, 1982 Miami Dolphins, 1987 Denver Broncos and 1996 and 2001 New England Patriots did not have any 1st team All-Pros. Jack Ham is the only defensive player to be named as a 1st team All-Pro for four AFC champions. Troy Polamalu and Chris Jones were defensive 1st team All-Pros for three AFC champions. Larry Little is the only offensive lineman to be named as a 1st team All-Pro for three AFC champions. Rob Gronkowski is the only tight end to be named a 1st team All-Pro for three AFC champions. Garo Yepremian is the only kicker to be named as a 1st team All-Pro for two AFC champions.
At the end of the 1966 season, the Super Bowl began to be played between the AFL champion and the NFL champion. After the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the Super Bowl continued to be played between the AFC champion and the NFC champion. The AFL champion lost the first two Super Bowls. The 1968 AFL champion New York Jets with Joe Namath at quarterback became the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl. Starting with that Super Bowl, the AFL or AFC champion won 11 out of 13 Super Bowls. However, the AFC champion lost 13 consecutive Super Bowls, from the 1984 AFC champion Miami Dolphins through the 1996 AFC champion New England Patriots. Overall, the AFL or AFC champion has won 29 of the 58 Super Bowls played through the end of the 2023 season.

## Key

| Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular AFL or NFL season. |
| Team | Name of AFL or AFC Championship team, linked to the team's championship season |
| Record | Championship team's regular season record wins–losses; if the team played any tie games the record is shown as wins–losses–ties |
| Head coach | Championship team's head coach; if the team had multiple head coaches for the season they are shown in decreasing order of number of regular season wins |
| Quarterback | Name of quarterback with most passing attempts for the AFL/AFC champion during the regular season |
| Leading Rusher | Name of player with most rushing yards for the AFL/AFC champion during the regular season |
| Leading Receiver | Name of player with most receiving yards for the AFL/AFC champion during the regular season |
| All-Pros | List of 1st team AP All-Pros on that season's AFL/AFC champion |
| Runner Up | Name of team that lost the AFL or AFC Championship Game |
| † | Super Bowl Champion |
| * | Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame |

## AFL and AFC championship teams
### AFL Championship Games

| Season | Team | Record | Head coach | Quarterback | Leading rusher | Leading receiver | All-Pros | Runner-up |
| 1960 | Houston Oilers | 10–4 | Lou Rymkus | George Blanda* | Billy Cannon | Bill Groman | Jamison, Johnston, Smith | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 1961 | Houston Oilers | 10–3–1 | Wally Lemm, Lou Rymkus | George Blanda* | Billy Cannon | Charley Hennigan | Banfield, Blanda*, Cannon, Groman, Hennigan, Jamison | San Diego Chargers |
| 1962 | Dallas Texans | 11–3 | Hank Stram* | Len Dawson* | Abner Haynes | Chris Burford | Burford, Dawson*, Hayes, Headrick, Holub, Hunt | Houston Oilers |
| 1963 | San Diego Chargers | 12–2 | Sid Gillman* | Tobin Rote | Paul Lowe | Lance Alworth* | Alworth*, Faison, Lincoln, Mix*, Rote | Boston Patriots |
| 1964 | Buffalo Bills | 12–2 | Lou Saban | Jack Kemp | Cookie Gilchrist | Elbert Dubenion | Barber, Gilchrist, Saimes, Sestak, Shaw*, Stratton | San Diego Chargers |
| 1965 | Buffalo Bills | 10–3–1 | Lou Saban | Jack Kemp | Wray Carlton | Bo Roberson | Byrd, Kemp, Saimes, Sestak, Shaw*, Stratton | San Diego Chargers |
| 1966 | Kansas City Chiefs | 11–2–1 | Hank Stram* | Len Dawson* | Mike Garrett | Otis Taylor | Arbanas, Bell*, Buchanan*, Budde, Dawson*, Mays, Robinson*, Taylor, Tyrer | Buffalo Bills |
| 1967 | Oakland Raiders | 13–1 | John Rauch | Daryle Lamonica | Hewritt Dixon | Fred Biletnikoff* | Davidson, Keating, Lamonica, McCloughan, Otto* | Houston Oilers |
| 1968 | New York Jets† | 11–3 | Weeb Ewbank* | Joe Namath* | Matt Snell | Don Maynard* | Namath*, Philbin, Sauer | Oakland Raiders |
| 1969 | Kansas City Chiefs† | 11–3 | Hank Stram* | Len Dawson* | Mike Garrett | Otis Taylor | Bell*, Buchanan*, Budde, Robinson*, Tyrer | Oakland Raiders |

### AFC Championship Games

| Season | Team | Record | Head coach | Quarterback | Leading rusher | Leading receiver | All-Pros | Runner-up |
| 1970 | Baltimore Colts† | 11–2–1 | Don McCafferty | Johnny Unitas* | Norm Bulaich | Roy Jefferson | none | Oakland Raiders |
| 1971 | Miami Dolphins | 10–3–1 | Don Shula* | Bob Griese* | Larry Csonka* | Paul Warfield* | Csonka*, Griese*, Little*, Warfield*, Yepremian | Baltimore Colts |
| 1972 | Miami Dolphins† | 14–0 | Don Shula* | Earl Morrall | Larry Csonka* | Paul Warfield* | Anderson, Little*, Morrall, Stanfill | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1973 | Miami Dolphins† | 12–2 | Don Shula* | Bob Griese* | Larry Csonka* | Paul Warfield* | Anderson, Csonka*, Langer*, Little*, Scott, Warfield*, Yepremian | Oakland Raiders |
| 1974 | Pittsburgh Steelers† | 10–3–1 | Chuck Noll* | Terry Bradshaw* | Franco Harris* | Frank Lewis | Greene*, Greenwood, Ham* | Oakland Raiders |
| 1975 | Pittsburgh Steelers† | 12–2 | Chuck Noll* | Terry Bradshaw* | Franco Harris* | Lynn Swann* | Blount*, Greenwood, Ham* | Oakland Raiders |
| 1976 | Oakland Raiders† | 13–1 | John Madden* | Ken Stabler* | Mark van Eeghen | Cliff Branch | Branch, Casper*, Guy* | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1977 | Denver Broncos | 12–2 | Red Miller | Craig Morton | Otis Armstrong | Haven Moses | Alzado, Gradishar*, Jackson, Thompson | Oakland Raiders |
| 1978 | Pittsburgh Steelers† | 14–2 | Chuck Noll* | Terry Bradshaw* | Franco Harris* | Lynn Swann* | Bradshaw*, Ham*, Swann*, Webster* | Houston Oilers |
| 1979 | Pittsburgh Steelers† | 12–4 | Chuck Noll* | Terry Bradshaw* | Franco Harris* | John Stallworth* | Ham*, Lambert*, Shell, Stallworth*, Webster* | Houston Oilers |
| 1980 | Oakland Raiders† | 11–5 | Tom Flores* | Jim Plunkett | Mark van Eeghen | Cliff Branch | Hayes, Hendricks* | San Diego Chargers |
| 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals | 12–4 | Forrest Gregg* | Ken Anderson | Pete Johnson | Cris Collinsworth | Anderson, McInally, Munoz* | San Diego Chargers |
| 1982 | Miami Dolphins | 7–2 | Don Shula* | David Woodley | Andra Franklin | Jimmy Cefalo | none | New York Jets |
| 1983 | Los Angeles Raiders† | 12–4 | Tom Flores* | Jim Plunkett | Marcus Allen* | Todd Christensen | Christensen | Seattle Seahawks |
| 1984 | Miami Dolphins | 14–2 | Don Shula* | Dan Marino* | Woody Bennett | Mark Clayton | Marino*, Newman, Roby, Stephenson* | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1985 | New England Patriots | 11–5 | Raymond Berry* | Tony Eason | Craig James | Stanley Morgan | Hannah*, Tippett* | Miami Dolphins |
| 1986 | Denver Broncos | 11–5 | Dan Reeves | John Elway* | Sammy Winder | Mark Jackson | Jones, Mecklenburg | Cleveland Browns |
| 1987 | Denver Broncos | 10–4–1 | Dan Reeves | John Elway* | Sammy Winder | Vance Johnson | none | Cleveland Browns |
| 1988 | Cincinnati Bengals | 12–4 | Sam Wyche | Boomer Esiason | Ickey Woods | Eddie Brown | Esiason, Krumrie, Munoz* | Buffalo Bills |
| 1989 | Denver Broncos | 11–5 | Dan Reeves | John Elway* | Bobby Humphrey | Vance Johnson | Mecklenburg | Cleveland Browns |
| 1990 | Buffalo Bills | 13–3 | Marv Levy* | Jim Kelly* | Thurman Thomas* | Andre Reed* | Hull, Smith*, Thomas* | Los Angeles Raiders |
| 1991 | Buffalo Bills | 13–3 | Marv Levy* | Jim Kelly* | Thurman Thomas* | Andre Reed* | Hull, Kelly*, Thomas* | Denver Broncos |
| 1992 | Buffalo Bills | 11–5 | Marv Levy* | Jim Kelly* | Thurman Thomas* | Andre Reed* | Jones | Miami Dolphins |
| 1993 | Buffalo Bills | 12–4 | Marv Levy* | Jim Kelly* | Thurman Thomas* | Andre Reed* | Smith* | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1994 | San Diego Chargers | 11–5 | Bobby Ross | Stan Humphries | Natrone Means | Tony Martin | Carney, Seau* | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1995 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 11–5 | Bill Cowher* | Neil O'Donnell | Erric Pegram | Yancey Thigpen | Dawson*, Lloyd | Indianapolis Colts |
| 1996 | New England Patriots | 11–5 | Bill Parcells* | Drew Bledsoe | Curtis Martin* | Terry Glenn | none | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 1997 | Denver Broncos† | 12–4 | Mike Shanahan | John Elway* | Terrell Davis* | Rod Smith | Davis*, Mobley, Sharpe* | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1998 | Denver Broncos† | 14–2 | Mike Shanahan | John Elway* | Terrell Davis* | Rod Smith | Davis*, Sharpe* | New York Jets |
| 1999 | Tennessee Titans | 13–3 | Jeff Fisher | Steve McNair | Eddie George | Kevin Dyson | Kearse, Matthews* | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2000 | Baltimore Ravens† | 12–4 | Brian Billick | Tony Banks | Jamal Lewis | Shannon Sharpe* | Lewis*, Ogden* | Oakland Raiders |
| 2001 | New England Patriots† | 11–5 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | Antowain Smith | Troy Brown | none | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2002 | Oakland Raiders | 11–5 | Bill Callahan | Rich Gannon | Charlie Garner | Jerry Rice* | Gannon, Kennedy, Robbins, Woodson* | Tennessee Titans |
| 2003 | New England Patriots† | 14–2 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | Antowain Smith | Deion Branch | Harrison, Law*, Seymour* | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2004 | New England Patriots† | 14–2 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | Corey Dillon | David Givens | Seymour*, Vinatieri | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2005 | Pittsburgh Steelers† | 11–5 | Bill Cowher* | Ben Roethlisberger | Willie Parker | Hines Ward | Faneca*, Polamalu* | Denver Broncos |
| 2006 | Indianapolis Colts† | 12–4 | Tony Dungy* | Peyton Manning* | Joseph Addai | Marvin Harrison* | Harrison* | New England Patriots |
| 2007 | New England Patriots | 16–0 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | Laurence Maroney | Randy Moss* | Brady, Light, Moss*, Samuel, Vrabel | San Diego Chargers |
| 2008 | Pittsburgh Steelers† | 12–4 | Mike Tomlin | Ben Roethlisberger | Willie Parker | Hines Ward | Harrison, Polamalu* | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2009 | Indianapolis Colts | 14–2 | Jim Caldwell | Peyton Manning* | Joseph Addai | Reggie Wayne | Manning, Clark, Freeney* | New York Jets |
| 2010 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 12–4 | Mike Tomlin | Ben Roethlisberger | Rashard Mendenhall | Mike Wallace | Harrison, Polamalu*, Pouncey | New York Jets |
| 2011 | New England Patriots | 13–3 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | Wes Welker | Gronkowski, Mankins, Welker, Wilfork | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2012 | Baltimore Ravens† | 10–6 | John Harbaugh | Joe Flacco | Ray Rice | Anquan Boldin | Jones, Leach | New England Patriots |
| 2013 | Denver Broncos | 13–3 | John Fox | Peyton Manning* | Knowshon Moreno | Demaryius Thomas | Manning, Thomas, Vasquez, Prater | New England Patriots |
| 2014 | New England Patriots† | 12–4 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | LeGarrette Blount | Julian Edelman | Gronkowski, Revis | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2015 | Denver Broncos† | 12–4 | Gary Kubiak | Peyton Manning* | Ronnie Hillman | Demaryius Thomas | Miller | New England Patriots |
| 2016 | New England Patriots† | 14–2 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | LeGarrette Blount | Julian Edelman | Slater | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2017 | New England Patriots | 13–3 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | Dion Lewis | Rob Gronkowski | Brady, Gronkowski | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2018 | New England Patriots† | 11–5 | Bill Belichick | Tom Brady | Sony Michel | Julian Edelman | Gilmore | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2019 | Kansas City Chiefs† | 12–4 | Andy Reid | Patrick Mahomes | Damien Williams | Travis Kelce | Mathieu | Tennessee Titans |
| 2020 | Kansas City Chiefs | 14–2 | Andy Reid | Patrick Mahomes | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Travis Kelce | Kelce, Hill, Mathieu | Buffalo Bills |
| 2021 | Cincinnati Bengals | 10–7 | Zac Taylor | Joe Burrow | Joe Mixon | Ja'Marr Chase | Chase, Mixon, Hendrickson | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2022 | Kansas City Chiefs† | 14–3 | Andy Reid | Patrick Mahomes | Isiah Pacheco | Travis Kelce | Mahomes, Kelce, Jones, Townsend | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs† | 11–6 | Andy Reid | Patrick Mahomes | Isiah Pacheco | Travis Kelce | Thuney, Jones, McDuffie | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | 15–2 | Andy Reid | Patrick Mahomes | Kareem Hunt | Travis Kelce | Thuney, Jones | Buffalo Bills |

## Footnotes

* $^a$ Lou Rymkus began the 1961 season as the Houston Oilers' head coach. After the Oilers started the season with a 1–3–1 record, Wally Lemm took over as head coach. The Oilers won all nine games with Lemm as their head coach and went on to win the 1961 AFL Championship Game.
* $^b$ Bob Griese began the 1972 season as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback. After Griese suffered an ankle injury in the 5th game of the season, Morrall became the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season and ended the season with more passing attempts than Griese. Morrall started the AFC Championship game, but Griese replaced him with the Dolphins behind in the second half and led the Dolphins to the victory. Griese then started Super Bowl VII.*
* $^c$ In 1972 both Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris rushed for 1,000 or more yards for the Miami Dolphins. Csonka led the team in rushing yardage, making Morris the only player on an AFC (or NFC) championship team to have at least 1000 rushing yards but not lead the team.
* $^d$ Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer each started 8 games for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Banks is listed here because had 274 passing attempts and Dilfer had 226. But Dilfer was the starting quarterback in the AFC Championship game and in Super Bowl XXXV.